ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Education
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan along with Shri Ashwini Vaishnav reviews the preparations of the upcoming Kashi Tamil Sangamam
Union Education and Skill Development Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan along with Union Minister of Railways, Communication, Electronics & Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnav and Governor of Tamil Nadu Shri R. N. Ravi today reviewed the preparations of the upcoming Kashi Tamil Sangamam. Minister of State for Education Shri Subhas Sarkar, senior officials of Ministry of Education, Ministry of Railways, officials of Government of Uttar Pradesh attended the meeting.
The Ministers discussed several logistical issues related to the smooth organisation of the program. Ministers called for taking all efforts to ensure superlative experience for the participants of Kashi Tamil Sangamam.
The month-long 'Kashi Tamil Sangamam' programme will be organised in Varanasi from November 17th to December 16th to rediscover the centuries-old bond of knowledge and ancient civilisational linkage between Kashi and Tamil Nadu. As part of the program, academic exchanges – seminars, discussions etc will be held between experts/ scholars on various facets of the two ancient manifestations of Indian Culture, with focus on bringing out the links and shared values between the two. The broader objective is to bring the two knowledge and cultural traditions closer, create and understanding of our shared heritage and deepen the people-to-people bond between the regions.
Ministry of Rural Development
Concerted Water Conservation Thrust under MGNREGS
With near universal geo-tagging of assets and payment of wages and materials through the Electronic Fund Management System , a transparent Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme  has made concerted efforts to create durable assets. The thrust has been on Natural Resource Management , both on community and individual beneficiary lands of small and marginal farmers. Due to these concerted efforts, 143 lakh hectares have benefitted through Water Conservation efforts under MGNREGS over the last 3 years. This includes construction of over 11 lakh farm ponds in the last 2 years, large scale Water Conservation Schemes and vermi composting pits. National evaluation by Institute of Economic Growth, New Delhi and assessment of individual beneficiary schemes for livelihood by Council for Social Development have indicated improvements in productivity, acreage, incomes and water table through MGNREGS works. All State Governments have taken keen interest to use MGNREGS as a livelihood resource even under individual beneficiary schemes for poultry sheds, goat sheds, dairy sheds etc. 90 days of wage labour under Pradhan MantriAwaasYojana-Gramin  housing and Rs. 12,000/- for household toilet wherever SBM Resources are not available has been provided under PMAY-G.
Considering the importance of Water Conservation especially during April to June period of peak demand for work in rural areas, the Government of India has released adequate funds for large scale thrust on completing 43.62 lakh Natural Resource Management works which are under implementation. It has also urged the States to accord maximum priority to Water Conservation works during the first quarter of 2018-19 including River Rejuvenation. Successes in River Rejuvenation have encouraged MGNREGS to undertake similar works in other States as well. The Hon’ble Prime Minister on the National Panchayati Raj Diwas on April 24, 2018 has exhorted Gram Panchayat Pradhans to lead a Community owned movement for Water Conservation using MGNREGS resources to insulate villages from vagaries of monsoon. On the 25th April 2018, Hon’ble Prime Minister has urged all the Chief Secretaries of States in the Pragati Review to assign top most priority to Water Conservation works under MGNREGS in the April to June period. There are no fund constraints in any State and technical training to field functionaries for Natural Resource Management has been given under the Samarthya Capacity Development Programmein partnership with Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Department of Land Resources and Central Ground Water Board as part of the thrust on 2,264 stressed Blocks under Mission Water Conservation.
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Prime Minister's Office
PM applauds spirit of Yuva Sangam
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has applauded the spirit of Yuva Sangam as students from Assam visit Amul Cooperative’s dairy plant in Anand, Gujarat.
Replying to a tweet thread by Member of Parliament from Tezpur Assam, Pallab Lochan Das, the Prime Minister tweeted;
“Such opportunities enable our youth to explore diverse cultures and understand different aspects of India.”
Ministry of Civil Aviation
4 new Indigo flights to operate in Madhya Pradesh from 1st September with everyday frequency: announces Civil Aviation Minister Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia
Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister of Civil Aviation announced today the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Madhya Pradesh as the four new Indigo Flights will start operating in the state from September 1, 2021 with everyday frequency.
In his tweets, Shri Scindia said, “Four new flights of Indigo are going to start from Madhya Pradesh from 1st September:
- Delhi-Gwalior-Delhi
- Gwalior-Indore-Gwalior
- Indore-Gwalior-Indore
- Gwalior-Delhi-Gwalior”
“Under the guidance of our visionary Prime Minister the Ministry of Civil Aviation is committed to facilitate the movement of citizens across the country and give wings to their development.”
Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia along with Ministry of Civil Aviation, General  Dr. V.K. Singh, and Member of Parliament, Bareilly, Shri Santosh Gangwar, yesterday had flagged off IndiGo’s Bareilly-Mumbai flight.
Earlier in July, eight new routes: Gwalior-Mumbai-Gwalior, Gwalior-Pune-Gwalior, Jabalpur-Surat-Jabalpur, and Ahmedabad-Gwalior-Ahmedabad bolstering the aerial connectivity from Madhya Pradesh to Maharashtra & Gujarat were also flagged off by Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister, Civil Aviation.
The operationalization of these routes aligns with the objectives of the Sab Uden Sab Juden initiative of the Government of India that aims to strengthen the aerial connectivity of the Tier-2 & Tier-3 cities of the country with the metros.
Prime Minister's Office
PM praises Andaman and Nicobar islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli for achieving ODF+ model category
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has lauded remarkable commitment to build a clean India by the UTs of Andaman and Nicobar islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
In reply to a tweet by the Union Minister, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat about five fold increase in number of ODF+ villages in just one year, the Prime Minister tweeted:
"Proud of the people of Andaman and Nicobar islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, as well as Daman and Diu. They have shown remarkable commitment to build a clean India."
Competition Commission of India
CCI approves acquisition of 100% of issued and outstanding share capital and sole control of VGP Holdings LLC by Gateway Velocity Holding Corp.
The Competition Commission of India  approves proposed acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding share capital and sole control of VGP Holdings LLC by Gateway Velocity Holding Corp.
Gateway Velocity Holding Corp.  is a newly formed Delaware, U.S. corporation. It is a holding company and does not have any business activities in India or elsewhere. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aramco Overseas Company B.V. , which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabian Oil Company . Saudi Aramco is primarily engaged in prospecting, exploring, drilling, and extracting hydrocarbon substances and processing, manufacturing, refining and marketing these substances. In India, it is primarily engaged in the marketing and selling of hydrocarbons and derivatives .
VGP Holdings LLC , a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Delaware. Following a pre-closing reorganization, Valvoline Inc. , will transfer one of its two business segments i.e. Global Products Business, to the Target. The Global Products Business sells Valvoline and other branded and private label engine and automotive preventive maintenance products in several countries. The Target sells lubricants, coolants and AdBlue  in India.
The CCI approved the Proposed Combination which relates to the acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding share capital and sole control of the Target by Saudi Aramco  from the Seller. 
Detailed order of the CCI will follow.
PIB Headquarters
‘Special Passport Mela’ in Vellore, Ranipet and Krishnagiri on December 21, 2019
In order to meet the public demand and to facilitate submission of applications for the frequent travellers due to extended time in getting appointments, Regional Passport Office, Chennai will be holding ‘Special Passport Mela’ on Saturday the 21st December 2019 at Post Office Passport Seva Kendras , Vellore, Ranipet and Krishnagiri.
Post Office Passport Seva Kendra, at Vellore, Ranipet and Krishnagiri will function on Saturday the 21st December 2019 like any other normal working day and accept applications as per time slots allotted to the applicants. Approximately 160 applicants are expected to be benefitted from this Mela.
To participate in this Passport Mela, all applicants have to log on to the official website ‘www.passportindia.gov.in’, register on-line, generate ‘ARN’ , and pay online fees and then take appointment. Applicants participating in the mela should bring the print-out of ARN with appointment details, to the POPSK along with the requisite documents in originals, plus one set of self attested photocopies. Applications under Fresh and Re-issue categories only will be accepted.
The appointments will be released on 18th December  at 1430 hrs for the mela to take place on Saturday, 21st December 2019. On the day of mela, applications will be accepted only as per the time slot allotted to them. Applications for PCCs, Walk-ins including On-Hold and Refused Tokens will not be entertained during the Mela, according to a press release issued by Shri. P.K. Ashok Babu, Regional Passport Officer, Chennai.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
CDSCO and State Drugs Control Administration commence joint inspection of Drug Manufacturing Units
Joint Inspections being conducted all over the country as per Standard Operating Procedures
Committee of two Joint Drugs Controllers constituted at CDSCO  to monitor the process of inspection, reporting & subsequent action
Under directions of Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation  has started conducting joint inspection of identified Drug Manufacturing Units along with State Drugs Control Administration as per risk based approach.
The Joint Inspections are being conducted all over the country as per the Standard Operating Procedures. A committee of two Joint Drugs Controllers has been constituted at CDSCO  to monitor the process of inspection, reporting & subsequent action so as to ensure compliance to the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules thereunder. This will ensure high standards of quality compliance with respect to drugs manufactured in the country.
An action plan for nationwide inspection of manufacturing units which are identified to be at the risk of manufacturing Not of Standard Quality /adulterated/spurious drugs was made prior to carrying out of inspections.
The objective of drug regulation is to ensure safety, efficacy and quality of the drugs available in the country. The drug control administration is required to ensure that manufacturing units comply with Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules thereunder especially to the requirements of Good Manufacturing Practices .
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
278 LMT foodgrains allocated free of cost to approximately 80 Crore beneficiaries under PMGKAY
The Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ms. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today informed that during the year 2021 for the period of 7 months i.e May-November, 2021 about 278 LMT foodgrains have been allocated free of cost to approximately 80 Crore NFSA beneficiaries under PMGKAY).
Similarly, about 322 Lakh Metric Tons  of food-grains had been allocated to approx. 80 crore beneficiaries during the period of 8 months i.e April-November in 2020.
In pursuance of the pro-poor measures under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package as part of the Economic Response to COVID -19, Govt of India had launched scheme i.e Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana for additional allocation of food-grains from the Central Pool @ 5 kg per person per month free of cost for all the beneficiaries covered under Targeted Public Distribution System /National Food Security Act  & Priority Households) including those covered under Direct Benefit Transfer .
State/UT-wise details of allocation of foodgrains under PMGKAY schemes since its inception is:
|
|
SN
|
|
States/UTs
|
|
Total Allocation
under PMGKAY 2020 
|
|
Total Allocation
under PMGKAY 2021
|
|
1
|
|
Andaman &
Nicobar Islands
|
|
2434.48
|
|
2130.17
|
|
2
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
1072920.00
|
|
938775.81
|
|
3
|
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
|
32844.84
|
|
29412.01
|
|
4
|
|
Assam
|
|
1006116.96
|
|
878654.56
|
|
5
|
|
Bihar
|
|
3463588.53
|
|
3049071.94
|
|
6
|
|
Chandigarh
|
|
11112.95
|
|
9780.23
|
|
7
|
|
Chhattisgarh
|
|
803080.00
|
|
702695.00
|
|
8
|
|
Daman & Diu D&NH
|
|
11482.44
|
|
9434.94
|
|
9
|
|
Delhi
|
|
290932.96
|
|
254729.83
|
|
10
|
|
Goa
|
|
21279.76
|
|
18626.34
|
|
11
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
1530143.48
|
|
1195998.83
|
|
12
|
|
Haryana
|
|
505960.00
|
|
442715.00
|
|
13
|
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
|
114578.24
|
|
100255.96
|
|
14
|
|
Jammu And Kashmir
|
|
289101.03
|
|
253437.35
|
|
15
|
|
Jharkhand
|
|
1054800.92
|
|
922950.81
|
|
16
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
1607720.00
|
|
1406755.00
|
|
17
|
|
Kerala
|
|
619200.48
|
|
541800.42
|
|
18
|
|
Ladakh
|
|
5755.80
|
|
5036.29
|
|
19
|
|
Lakshadweep
|
|
880.00
|
|
765.31
|
|
20
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
2185680.00
|
|
1689043.93
|
|
21
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
2800680.00
|
|
2450587.10
|
|
22
|
|
Manipur
|
|
98526.02
|
|
65105.57
|
|
23
|
|
Meghalaya
|
|
85820.68
|
|
75093.10
|
|
24
|
|
Mizoram
|
|
26728.60
|
|
23387.53
|
|
25
|
|
Nagaland
|
|
56187.48
|
|
49164.05
|
|
26
|
|
Odisha
|
|
1294384.64
|
|
1135157.42
|
|
27
|
|
Puducherry
|
|
25284.94
|
|
21910.50
|
|
28
|
|
Punjab
|
|
565800.00
|
|
495295.57
|
|
29
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
1786480.00
|
|
1540043.58
|
|
30
|
|
Sikkim
|
|
15151.52
|
|
13257.58
|
|
31
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
1429348.48
|
|
1276427.78
|
|
32
|
|
Telangana
|
|
766480.00
|
|
670676.65
|
|
33
|
|
Tripura
|
|
99788.02
|
|
87088.66
|
|
34
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
5915765.97
|
|
5151722.66
|
|
35
|
|
Uttarakhand
|
|
247786.85
|
|
216790.00
|
|
36
|
|
West Bengal
|
|
2407350.80
|
|
2106431.95
|
|
Total
|
|
32251176.85
|
|
27830209.34
Ministry of Earth Sciences
No Heat Wave Conditions observed over the country today
Heat wave conditions are very likely in isolated pockets over Gujarat state and coastal Odisha today
Highest maximum temperature of 43.3°C was reported at Bramhapuri  Yesterday
According to the National Weather Forecasting Centre of the India Meteorological Department :
Current Temperature Status and Warning for next 24 hours
Heat Wave and Maximum Temperatures Observed Yesterday 
Heat Wave observed:
- No Heat wave conditions were observed.
Maximum Temperatures:
- Maximum Temperatures more than 40.0°C were recorded at most places over Gujarat, Marathawada and Vidarbha; at many places over Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal and Jharkhand; at a few places over West Rajasthan, Saurashtra & Kutch, Chhattisgarh and Telangana and at isolated places over Bihar, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Madhya Pradesh and Madhya Maharashtra.
- Maximum Temperature Departures as on 24-04-2021: Maximum temperatures were markedly above normal  at many places over Assam & Meghalaya; at a few places over Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura and at isolated places over Saurashtra & Kutch; appreciably above normal  at a few places over West Bengal & Sikkim and at isolated places over Odisha; above normal  at many places over Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit- Baltistan & Muzaffarabad and Konkan & Goa; at a few places over Coastal Karnataka and at isolated places over Telangana, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Vidarbha. They were below normal  at a few places over Madhya Pradesh and North Interior Karnataka; at isolated places over Tamilnadu, Puducherry & Karaikal, Himachal Pradesh and South Interior Karnataka and near normal over rest parts of the country.
- Yesterday, the highest maximum temperature of 43.3°C was reported at Bramhapuri .
Heat Wave Warnings for Next 24 hours :
- Heat wave conditions are very likely in isolated pockets over Gujarat state and coastal Odisha.

Kindly download MAUSAM APP for location specific forecast & warning, MEGHDOOT APP for Agromet advisory and DAMINI APP for Lightning Warning & visit state MC/RMC websites for district wise warning.
Prime Minister's Office
PM to visit Haryana on October 9
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, will visit Sampla, Rohtak on October 9, 2018.
He will unveil a statue of Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram. Sir Chhotu Ram was a prominent leader, who worked ceaselessly for the welfare of farmers, and the emancipation of the backward and downtrodden. He is also remembered for his work in the education sector, and other social causes.
At a public meeting, the Prime Minister will unveil a plaque to mark the laying of Foundation Stone of the Rail Coach Refurbishing Karkhana, Sonepat. Once complete, this will be a major repair and maintenance facility for rail coaches in the northern region. It is being set up using modular and prefabricated construction techniques, modern machinery, and environment-friendly features.
Ministry of Railways
Wi-Fi at Railway Stations
RailTel Corporation of India Limited, a Public Sector Undertaking under Ministry of Railways has partnered with various organizations including Google to provide free Wi-Fi services at Railway Stations so as to create digital inclusion platform. Google, in partnership with RailTel, has provided Wi-Fi services at 416 Railway Stations and they will maintain the same upto 29th May 2020, as per the agreement with RailTel. After the exit of Google, RailTel shall continue to maintain and provide free Wi-Fi services at these Railway stations.
No separate funds have been sanctioned by Indian Railways for this purpose. Wi-Fi services have been provided at 198 rural stations by RailTel under an agreement with Ministry of Communications under Universal Service obligation Fund . For these 198 rural stations, funds of ₹27.77crore have been provided by Ministry of Communications. Wi-Fi services have been provided at another 5430 stations till 03.03.2020, in collaboration with M/s Google, M/s Tata Trusts & M/s Power Grid Corporation of India under Corporate Social Responsibility/Charity funding.
This press release is based on information given by the Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM performs darshan and pooja of Bhagwan Shree Ramlala Virajman in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
Inspects Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra site
On the eve of Deepavali, the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi visited Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh and performed darshan and pooja of Bhagwan Shree Ramlala Virajman today. The Prime Minister inspected the site of Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra. He also interacted with people associated with the sacred project including the shramjeevis at the temple site.
DS/TS
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Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Advisory to all Private Satellite TV Channels for appropriate representation of children in dance based Reality Shows
Channels advised to exercise restraint and display sensitivity and caution while showing reality shows and programmes
Move expected to prevent distressing impact on young and impressionable children
I&B Ministry has noticed that several dance based reality TV shows portray young children performing dance moves originally done by adults in movies and other popular modes of entertainment. These moves are often suggestive and age-inappropriate. Such acts may also have distressing impact on children, impacting them at a young and impressionable age.
All private satellite TV Channels are expected to abide by the provisions contained in Programme & Advertising Codes prescribed under the Cable Television Networks  Act, 1995 and rules framed. As per the rules, no programme should be carried on TV which denigrates children, and further that programmes meant for children should not contain any bad language or explicit scenes of violence.
The Ministry has accordingly issued an Advisory to all private satellite TV channels to avoid showing children in indecent, suggestive and inappropriate manner in dance reality shows or other such programmes. The channels have been further advised to exercise maximum restraint, sensitivity and caution while showing such reality shows and programmes.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
I&B Ministry implements Accessibility Standards for Persons with Disabilities in TV programmes
Private Satellite News TV channels to telecast programme on Independence Day Celebrations with sign language interpretation
Doordarshan has been carrying sign language interpretation of the address of President of India on the eve of Independence Day and Prime Minister’s address from the ramparts of Red Fort on Independence Day every year. This year too, President’s address and the entire function from Red Fort will be telecast live with sign language interpretation on DD Bharati channel.
In a major step towards implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has decided to implement Accessibility Standards for Persons with Disabilities in television programmes for private TV channels also from this Independence Day.
In a significant beginning from this year’s Independence Day, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has asked Private Satellite News TV channels also to telecast a short programme on Independence Day Celebrations, along with corresponding sign language interpretation, in the afternoon/evening of 15th August. The channels have been told that they may either make their own programme with sign language interpretation, or, if they wish, they may carry a bulletin prepared by DD News free of cost. This information was given by Shri Amit Khare, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting while speaking at a function organized by NCPEDP at IIC, New Delhi. Ministry of I&B was given Special Jury Award at this function for its path breaking work in making television accessible for people with hearing disabilities.
PIB Headquarters
BSNL Presents Republic Day Offer
BSNL has launched attractive offer for its subscribers on the occasion of 71st Republic Day with 71 days extra validity in Plan 1999 which gives unlimited calls to any network, 3 Gb/day data and 100 SMS / day now for 436 days instead of 365 days. Plan 1999 comes with additional features like BSNL Tunes on BSNL TV subscription free for 365 days. This offer will be available from 26th January 2020 to 15th February 2020.
Subscribers are showing faith in Government owned BSNL by choosing it over other telecom operators in great numbers through mobile number portability  facility. As per recent TRAI report, BSNL has increased its wireless market share in the month of November 2019 to 10.19% for all India and to 11.07% in BSNL license area i.e. excluding Delhi and Mumbai.
BSNL is committed to offer excellent services at affordable prise to its subscribers., according to a press release issued by BSNL.